tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19448767805357181832017-09-08T16:20:49.196-07:00miscellanyrandom things Richard Bon likes or writesRichard Bonnoreply@blogger.comBlogger69125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-12795325252694481872016-05-22T08:27:00.000-07:002016-05-22T08:27:08.959-07:00Review of White Teeth by Zadie SmithFirst 5 star review in a while, and I also thoroughly enjoyed the 4 part mini series based on the book. Review:<div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_17461791"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1632386557" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1632386557</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Mini series:</div><div><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_17461797"><br /></a></div><div><a href="https://acorn.tv/franchise/whiteteeth" target="_blank">https://acorn.tv/franchise/whiteteeth</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-80480408365018933902016-01-30T08:24:00.002-08:002016-01-30T08:24:42.985-08:00Review of The Son by Philipp MeyerChock full of rape and violence, so not for the faint of heart, but one of the best books I've read in the last five to ten years:<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1531011912" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1531011912</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-74840089608623713672016-01-17T07:53:00.005-08:002016-01-17T07:54:36.542-08:00Mummers 2016 #Philly #NYD<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/Chw1_ZErGrk/0.jpg" frameborder="0" height="266" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Chw1_ZErGrk?feature=player_embedded" width="320"></iframe></div><br />Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-83395672328003570572015-08-30T06:32:00.000-07:002015-08-30T06:32:56.849-07:00Four Reviews (The Luminaries, Busted, Outsmart Waste, The Yiddish Policemen's Union)I got a little behind on posting my 5 star reviews on this blog. So here are the last 4 books I gave 5 stars on goodreads.com:<br /><br />The Luminaries by Eleanor Catton<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1276691176" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1276691176</a><br /><br />Busted by Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1333610353" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1333610353</a><br /><br />Outsmart Waste by Tom Szaky<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1358990096" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1358990096</a><br /><br />The Yiddish Policemen's Union by Michael Chabon<br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1377943301" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1377943301</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-7513166861663657432015-04-20T07:04:00.002-07:002015-04-20T07:04:39.905-07:00Review of Inherent Vice by Thomas PynchonLoved this book. Just saw the movie as well and Paul Thomas Anderson did a solid job adapting the script, though some characters I liked in the book were left out and some plot lines were not as fully developed, surely out of a necessity for brevity.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1249796225" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1249796225</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-86925768647234259922015-01-04T11:28:00.002-08:002015-01-04T11:28:44.922-08:00Review of The Mysteries of Pittsburgh by Michael ChabonThoroughly enjoyed Chabon's debut novel and looking forward to reading more of his stuff:<div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1151282536" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1151282536</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-31780100162430994012014-11-12T19:19:00.000-08:002014-11-12T19:24:46.899-08:00Knead Bagels is Now Open! (Best #Bagels in #Philly)Philadelphia has a new bagel shop, and it's instantly the best in the city. <a href="http://kneadbagels.com/" target="_blank">Knead Bagels</a>, from long time Matyson chef Adam Willner and wife Cheri Willner, is now open at 725 Walnut Street by Washington Square, right next to El Fuego. Knead's hours are 6:30 am - 2:00 pm on weekdays and from 8:00 am until they sell out on weekends, and their menu is like nothing you've ever seen at any bagel shop, anywhere. Go in and eat and you'll leave happy. Want some bagels to bring home? A baker's dozen is $13 (compare this to $18 for a dozen at Spread, and Knead's bagels are much, much better). Coffee is from <a href="http://www.elixrcoffee.com/" target="_blank">elixr</a>&nbsp;and it's only $2 for a 12 ounce cup.<br /><br />The best way to check 'em out is to just go in and eat, but if you wanna do it online first or just keep up with what they're up to, here's where you can follow:<br /><br />twitter:&nbsp;<a href="http://twitter.com/kneadbagels" target="_blank">http://twitter.com/kneadbagels</a> (@kneadbagels)<br />facebook:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knead-Bagels/241235529372750" target="_blank">http://www.facebook.com/pages/Knead-Bagels/241235529372750</a><br />instagram:&nbsp;<a href="http://instagram.com/kneadbagels/" target="_blank">http://instagram.com/kneadbagels/</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-53982891243406012432014-07-07T13:48:00.000-07:002014-08-15T10:38:33.796-07:00Review of Thanks and Sorry and Good Luck by Lee KleinIf you're a writer who's ever had a piece rejected (and if you're a writer whose name isn't William Faulkner (rest in peace), you've had a piece rejected sometime), then Lee Klein's <a href="http://www.barrelhousemag.com/#!thanks-and-sorry-and-good-luck/cowk" target="_blank">Thanks and Sorry and Good Luck</a> is a must read. Here's my review:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/989008176" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/989008176</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-77230326117145105662014-06-23T17:50:00.003-07:002014-06-23T17:59:01.919-07:00USA v Portugal 2014This was the scene in Philly on Locust between 15th and 16th, where attendees were rightfully furious with organizers for staging the screen too low for anyone beyond the first row to see more than the top 1/2 - 2/3 of the screen, immediately following the Star Spangled Banner:<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/9e2wO2W5VPQ?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div><br /><br />Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-53777231112928560022014-05-20T19:54:00.001-07:002014-05-20T19:54:55.056-07:00Review of The High Window by Raymond ChandlerHighly recommend this book to fans of Chandler or just noir and pulp in general. Marlowe's at his best here.<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/943478297" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/943478297</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-84633078774703585942014-05-20T19:52:00.000-07:002014-05-20T19:52:31.884-07:00Review of Flash Fiction edited by James Thomas, Denise Thomas, Tom HazukaA very brief 5 star review:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/943474996" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/943474996</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-89567279994079584102014-01-21T19:01:00.003-08:002014-01-21T19:02:20.557-08:00Review of Consider the Lobster by David Foster Wallace #amreading #goodreadsTwo 5 star reviews this week from me. RIP DFW, wish you were still here to share your scattered thoughts with the world:<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/830467326" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/830467326</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-63200524106803958972014-01-19T09:20:00.001-08:002014-01-19T09:20:07.333-08:00Review of Castle by J. Robert Lennon #amreading #goodreadsThis book left me a little spooked each night that I put it down this week, and more than a little deep in thought, alternatingly introspective and extrospective. After writing my review (link below), I read some others, and I'm not shocked that in general men seem to have enjoyed the novel more so than women, but I think its a must read for either sex:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/827177522" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/827177522</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-73374184460563776812014-01-01T20:34:00.001-08:002014-01-19T20:01:05.639-08:00I Love the Mummers (#Mummers #NYD #NYD2014 #newyears2014 #Philly)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Here's a two minute video I took today of Pennsport String Band playing Scrap Iron (thanks, Mike Drzal for helping me out with their i.d. via youtube comment) on the west side of Broad Street between Jackson and Wolf . New Year's Day in Philly isn't quite Mardi Gras Day in NOLA, and this video just shows PSB stopping to play for the crowd along their way up Broad toward City Hall, but when you consider the crazy Comic and talented String and painstakingly elaborate, meticulously arranged Fancy Brigades, and how much of the city pours onto the streets to celebrate from sunrise to sundown, it certainly has an equal spirit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowFullScreen='true' webkitallowfullscreen='true' mozallowfullscreen='true' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ysyTre9Ijbc?feature=player_embedded' FRAMEBORDER='0' /></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-91940860580347044302013-12-24T13:58:00.001-08:002013-12-24T14:01:04.759-08:00Dinners by Urban Farmer and Chef Jack GoldenbergRecently I had the immense pleasure of a five course meal at the home of Urban Farmer and Chef extraordinaire, <a href="https://twitter.com/HoodRichFarms" target="_blank">Jack Goldenberg</a>. Having heard about Jack's pop-up dinner parties from my friend and fellow blogger, <a href="https://twitter.com/leemporter" target="_blank">Lee Porter</a>, my expectations were high, and I'm happy to say that Jack exceeded them by a moon shot. The most deliciously prepared cauliflower I've ever eaten, an out-of-this-world smoked white fish of which I wish I could recall the name (I had a bit of a buzz going throughout the evening, to say the least), and a soup pairing another perfectly prepared fish with pork belly are just a few of the highlights that come straight to mind and make me want to invite myself back over to Jack's place asap.<br /><div><br /></div><div>Since I'm not a food blogger and didn't take any photos of the food and, for reasons stated above, my memories of the delectable meal are a bit cloudy, here's a link to Lee's Q&amp;A blog post about Jack's farming and culinary talents:&nbsp;</div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://chocolatecoveredmemories.com/2013/09/08/ccm-w-farmer-chef-jack-goldenberg/" target="_blank">http://chocolatecoveredmemories.com/2013/09/08/ccm-w-farmer-chef-jack-goldenberg/</a></div><div><br /></div><div>I'd highly recommend following Jack on <a href="https://twitter.com/HoodRichFarms" target="_blank">twitter</a>&nbsp;or 'liking' his <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HoodRichFarms" target="_blank">facebook page</a> so you can hear about his future pop-up dinners before the guest lists fill up.</div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-55172480780809516382013-10-29T18:30:00.000-07:002013-10-29T18:30:20.669-07:00Review of Fragrant Harbor by John LanchesterI forgot to post this 5 star review here earlier this month. I loved this book, an incredible depiction of capitalism, war, politics, entrepreneurship, journalism, and gangsters in 20th century Hong Kong, told by compelling characters with individual, yet interwoven stories:<br /><br /><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/734647141" target="_blank">https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/734647141</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-44822631497270112832013-09-21T17:57:00.000-07:002015-09-02T18:57:07.807-07:00Article on Azuka Theatre Company's production of Greg Keller's 'Dutch Masters'Azuka added an additional week of shows! Now running for a week beyond 2013 Philly Fringe - through 29 September. Here's a link to the article I wrote on this show for FringeArts blog, and below that, a link where you can buy tickets for the extended dates:<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://fringearts.com/2013/09/10/race-class-and-the-subway-dutch-masters/" target="_blank">http://fringearts.com/2013/09/10/race-class-and-the-subway-dutch-masters/</a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://azukatheatre.ticketleap.com/dutch-masters/#view=calendar">http://azukatheatre.ticketleap.com/dutch-masters/#view=calendar</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-65748476817140584732013-07-14T09:25:00.002-07:002013-07-14T09:25:48.682-07:00Review of 1Q84 by Haruki MurakamiI had a really hard time stepping away from this book on a daily basis the last few weeks:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/667394237">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/667394237</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-27595745872086173572013-07-07T17:23:00.000-07:002013-07-11T11:29:47.075-07:00The Silver Linings Playbook: Movie vs. BookShortly after I posted this short essay here on <i>miscellany</i>, it was picked up by PhillySportsCentral.com, an excellent site for all of your latest Eagles, Flyers, Phillies, and Sixers news. You can check it out at the following link:<br /><br /><a href="http://phillysportscentral.com/?p=14836" target="_blank">http://phillysportscentral.com/?p=14836</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-15225675961273826252013-05-30T11:56:00.001-07:002013-05-30T11:56:32.117-07:00Map of Every Place Mentioned in a Bob Dylan Song (on @Slate) #BobDylanIn case any Dylan fans missed this article posted last week on Slate:<div><br /></div><div><a href="http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/map_of_the_week/2013/05/bob_dylan_map_every_place_mentioned_in_a_bob_dylan_song.html?wpisrc=most_viral" target="_blank">http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/map_of_the_week/2013/05/bob_dylan_map_every_place_mentioned_in_a_bob_dylan_song.html?wpisrc=most_viral</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-1693398823633074452013-05-27T11:09:00.000-07:002014-06-23T17:57:48.364-07:00Watford v Leicester 97th minute goal #soccer #footballI've been a soccer (football) fan since I started playing at age 5, and I think that this 97th minute Watford goal in the 12 May 2013 Watford v Leicester semifinal match after their goalkeeper saved a Leicester penalty kick and follow up, a goal that tied the aggregate score of the teams' back to back games against each other and allowed Watford to advance according to league rules for tie breaking, is <i>the greatest goal I've ever seen</i> because of the moment's impossible drama and because of every little thing that had to go right for Watford's team - from the back to back saves by their keeper to the Watford player getting a service ball across the box with a Leicester defender right there in front of him to the ensuing header and one time finish - and how it all magically came together.<br /><div><br />Addendum: shame Watford's run ended today in a 1 - 0 extra time loss to Crystal Palace with promotion to the Premier League on the line (though Crystal Palace fans would surely disagree).</div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-27036496257235855842013-05-12T20:40:00.002-07:002013-05-12T20:40:46.818-07:00Article on the State of Capitalism by Igor Greenwald in ForbesIts provocative title slightly misleads, but this article has excellent content, particularly in its discussion of the healthcare industry within American capitalism today:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/igorgreenwald/2013/01/07/is-capitalism-dying/" target="_blank">http://www.forbes.com/sites/igorgreenwald/2013/01/07/is-capitalism-dying/</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-28604456135021235272013-05-12T20:34:00.002-07:002013-05-12T20:41:01.931-07:00Review of Humboldt's Gift by Saul BellowBellow's understanding of the inevitable direction of the capitalistic moral compass permeates the humor in this, my favorite of the three of his books I've read to date:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/607643756" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/607643756</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-31668268473506045832013-04-22T09:41:00.001-07:002013-04-22T09:42:26.048-07:00The Hand of Gaul by @InisNuaTheatre in #Philly this week! #football #soccer #theatreIf you are a football (soccer) fan and you're someone who even occasionally enjoys theatre, and you live anywhere even remotely close to Philadelphia (whatever distance that means to you), you will LOVE this new, original, hilarious play written by Jared Michael Delaney about 3 crazy Irish fans who plot to assassinate Thierry Henry after his infamous handball in the 2009 World Cup Qualifier for the French against Ireland:<br /><div><br /></div><div><a href="http://inisnuatheatre.org/current-show" target="_blank">http://inisnuatheatre.org/current-show</a></div>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1944876780535718183.post-17238544226431266112013-04-22T09:36:00.000-07:002013-04-22T09:42:17.675-07:00Review of Best of Friday Flash Volume 2 by Various AuthorsI loved this collection, here's my review:<br /><br /><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/590354358" target="_blank">http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/590354358</a>Richard Bonhttps://plus.google.com/103156206380576059021noreply@blogger.com0